U.S. patent number 10,513,160 [Application Number 15/521,966] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-24 for amphibious vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Satoru Ishikawa, Takashi Matsunaga, Takaaki Oshima.
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United States Patent |
10,513,160 |
Oshima , et al. |
December 24, 2019 |
Amphibious vehicle
Abstract
An amphibious vehicle, which enables wave making resistance upon
traveling on water to be reduced and propulsive performance of its
vehicle main body to be improved, is to be provided. An amphibious
vehicle of the present invention includes: a vehicle main body that
is movable on water and on land; a rear portion flap having a front
end portion fixed to a rear portion of the vehicle main body; and
end plates respectively provided at both side end portions of the
rear portion flap.
Inventors: |
Oshima; Takaaki (Tokyo,
JP), Ishikawa; Satoru (Tokyo, JP),
Matsunaga; Takashi (Tokyo, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES,
LTD. (Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
55857457 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/521,966 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2015 |
PCT
Filed: |
October 27, 2015 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2015/080223 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
April 26, 2017 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2016/068121 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 06, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170326932 A1 |
Nov 16, 2017 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Oct 30, 2014 [JP] |
|
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2014-221351 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60F
3/0007 (20130101); B60F 3/00 (20130101); B63B
39/06 (20130101); B63B 1/40 (20130101); B63H
25/44 (20130101); B60F 3/0038 (20130101); Y02T
70/10 (20130101); Y02T 70/12 (20130101); B63B
1/22 (20130101); B60F 3/0046 (20130101); B63B
1/32 (20130101); Y02T 70/125 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60F
3/00 (20060101); B63H 25/44 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2461957 |
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Jan 2010 |
|
GB |
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2003-291801 |
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Oct 2003 |
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JP |
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2006-525918 |
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Nov 2006 |
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JP |
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2013-147088 |
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Aug 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2013-154794 |
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Aug 2013 |
|
JP |
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2014-522778 |
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Sep 2014 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
English translation of the Written Opinion of the International
Searching Authority (Form PCT/ISA/237), dated Jan. 12, 2016, for
International Application No. PCT/JP2015/080223. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report, issued in PCT/JP2015/080223
(PCT/ISA/210), dated Jan. 12, 2016. cited by applicant .
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, issued in
PCT/JP2015/080223 (PCT/ISA/237), dated Jan. 12, 2016. cited by
applicant .
Office Action dated Sep. 11, 2018 in corresponding Japanese Patent
Application No. 2014-221351 with an English Translation. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Wiest; Anthony D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An amphibious vehicle, comprising: a vehicle main body, having a
generally rectangular shape that is movable on water and on land; a
rear portion plate shaped member having a front end portion that is
fixed to a rear portion of the vehicle main body and having a width
corresponding to the width of the vehicle main body; rear portion
end plates respectively provided at each side of the rear portion
plate shaped member, wherein the vehicle main body has a
perpendicular front surface and an inclined surface fixed to an
upper end of the front surface; a front portion plate shaped member
having a rear end portion that is fixed to a lower end portion of
the vehicle main body; and front portion end plates respectively
provided at each side of the front portion plate shaped member;
wherein the front portion plate shaped member includes: a lower
portion plate shaped member having a rear end portion that is fixed
to a lower end portion of a front surface of the vehicle main body;
and an upper portion plate shaped member at a front end portion of
the lower portion plate shaped member, the upper portion plate
shaped member being coupled turnably relative to the lower portion
plate shaped member; wherein the front portion end plates include
first front portion end plates that are provided at each side of
the upper portion plate shaped member, and second front portion end
plates provided at each side of the lower portion plate shaped
member; and wherein the first and second front portion end plates
extend upward, and wherein the first and second front portion end
plates are configured to, prevent water from flowing into a front
surface of the vehicle main body.
2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion end plates extend downward from a lower surface of the rear
portion plate shaped member.
3. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion end plates extend upward from an upper surface of the rear
portion plate shaped member.
4. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a distance
between the rear portion end plates is greater than a vehicle width
of the vehicle main body.
5. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion end plates include first rear portion end plates extend
downward from a lower surface of the rear portion plate shaped
member, and second rear portion end plates extend upward from an
upper surface of the rear portion plate shaped member.
6. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front
portion end plates extend upward from an upper surface of the front
portion plate shaped member.
7. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front
portion plate shaped member has a curved portion at the rear end
portion of the front portion plate shaped member.
8. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front
portion plate shaped member is pivotally connected to the vehicle
main body around a pivot that connects the front portion plate
shaped member to the vehicle main body.
9. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion plate shaped member is pivotally connected to the vehicle
main body around a pivot that connects the rear portion plate
shaped member to the vehicle main body.
10. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front
portion plate shaped member is fixable to a front surface of the
vehicle main body.
11. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion plate shaped member is fixable to a rear surface of the
vehicle main body.
12. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear
portion end plates have a shape selected from among a rectangular
shape, a triangular shape having a hypotenuse forming a
predetermined angle with respect to a direction of water flow, a
parallelogram shape, and a trapezoidal shape.
13. An amphibious vehicle comprising: a vehicle main body that is
movable on water and on land; a rear portion plate shaped member
having a front end portion that is fixed to a rear portion of the
vehicle main body and having a width corresponding to the width of
the vehicle main body; rear portion end plates respectively
provided at each side of the rear portion plate shaped member; a
front portion plate shaped member having a rear end portion that is
fixed to a lower end portion of the vehicle main body; front
portion end plates respectively provided at each side of the front
portion plate shaped member; wherein the front portion plate shaped
member includes: a lower portion plate shaped member having a rear
end portion that is fixed to a lower end portion of a front surface
of the vehicle main body; and an upper portion plate shaped member
at a front end portion of the lower portion plate shaped member,
the upper portion plate shaped member being coupled turnably
relative to the lower portion plate shaped member; wherein the
front portion end plates include: first front portion end plates
that are provided at each side of the upper portion plate shaped
member, and second front portion end plates provided at each side
of the lower portion plate shaped member; wherein the first and
second front portion end plates extend upward, and wherein upper
ends of the first and second front portion end plates are not
connected to the vehicle main body; and a second distance between
the second front portion end plates is less than a first distance
between the first front portion end plates by a distance that is
larger than the combined thicknesses of the second front portion
end plates.
14. An amphibious vehicle comprising: a vehicle main body that is
movable on water and on land; a rear portion plate shaped member
having a front end portion that is fixed to a rear portion of the
vehicle main body and having a width corresponding to the width of
the vehicle main body; rear portion end plates respectively
provided at each side of the rear portion plate shaped member; a
front portion plate shaped member having a rear end portion that is
fixed to a lower end portion of the vehicle main body; and front
portion end plates respectively provided at each side of the front
portion plate shaped member; wherein the front portion plate shaped
member has a curved portion at the rear end portion of the front
portion plate shaped member; and the curved portion is formed along
the full width of the rear end portion of the front portion plate
shaped member in the direction of the vehicle width of the vehicle
main body.
15. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the front
portion plate shaped member includes: a lower portion plate shaped
member comprising said curved portion and having a rear end portion
that is fixed to a lower end portion of a front surface of the
vehicle main body; and an upper portion plate shaped member at a
front end portion of the lower portion plate shaped member, the
upper portion plate shaped member being coupled pivotally to the
lower portion plate shaped member, and the curved portion having a
radius of curvature of 2/5R to 4/5R, wherein R is a distance
between the connection between the vehicle body and the rear end
portion of the lower portion plate shaped member and the connection
between the lower plate shaped member and the upper portion plate
shaped member.
Description
FIELD
The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle, and relates
to, for example, an amphibious vehicle having a plate shaped member
provided at a rear portion of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Conventionally, air cushion vehicles having automatic ground
surface following partition plates have been proposed (for example,
see Patent Literature 1). Such an air cushion vehicle has a movable
plate attached to a fixing plate via a guide rail, the fixing plate
being attached downward from a body of the air cushion vehicle. The
air cushion vehicle has a wing end plate provided at a small wing
which is provided at a lower end of the movable plate. Thereby, in
this air cushion vehicle, even if a ground surface is not flat, an
air cushion is efficiently generated due to lifting force provided
by the small wing, and resistance due to swirls and resistance due
to contact with the ground surface are reduced.
Further, an amphibious vehicle having a wheel side surface cover
(for example, see Patent Literature 2), and an amphibious vehicle
having a side surface vertical plate (for example, see Patent
Literature 3) have been proposed. In these amphibious vehicles, the
wheel side surface cover or the side surface vertical plate, which
is provided to cover the wheels, prevents foreign matter from going
into the vehicle main body from a side surface of the vehicle.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2003-291801
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2013-147088
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2013-154794
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
For amphibious vehicles, investigations have been made for
improving their propulsive performance upon traveling on water by
providing flaps at the front and the rear of the vehicles. However,
when the vehicles travel at high speeds on water (for example, at
14 km/h or more), for example, even if the flaps are provided at
the front and the rear of the vehicles, swirls are generated by
water that enters from both sides of the flaps to a position
between the vehicle main bodies and the flaps. The wave making
resistance acting on the vehicle bodies is increased due to the
generated swirls, and thus sufficient propulsive performance upon
traveling on water may be not necessarily obtained.
The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an amphibious
vehicle that enables wave making resistance upon traveling on water
to be reduced, and propulsive performance of the vehicle main body
to be improved.
Solution to Problem
An amphibious vehicle of this disclosure comprises: a vehicle main
body that is movable on water and on land; a rear portion plate
shaped member having a front end portion that is fixed to a rear
portion of the vehicle main body; and rear portion end plates
respectively provided at both side end portions of the rear portion
plate shaped member.
According to this configuration, by the rear portion end plates
provided at the rear portion plate shaped member, water entering
the position between the rear portion end plates and the rear
portion of the vehicle main body is able to be prevented, and thus
generation of swirls at the rear side of the vehicle main body when
the vehicle main body travels on water is able to be prevented.
Thereby, since the amphibious vehicle enables wave making
resistance upon traveling on water to be reduced, resistance acting
on the vehicle main body is able to be reduced, and propulsive
performance is able to be improved.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the rear portion end
plates are provided to stand downward from a lower surface of the
rear portion plate shaped member. According to this configuration,
in the amphibious vehicle, water flows via the space between the
rear portion end plates and the rear portion plate shaped member
upon traveling on water, and thus generation of swirls of water
flow at both side end portions of the rear portion plate shaped
member is able to be prevented, and wave making resistance upon
traveling on water is able to be reduced. Further, since water
pressure acting on the lower surface side of the rear portion plate
shaped member is able to be increased, lifting force from the rear
side of the vehicle is able to be improved, and posture of the
vehicle upon traveling on water is able to be stabilized.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the rear portion end
plates are provided to stand upward from an upper surface of the
rear portion plate shaped member. According to this configuration,
in the amphibious vehicle, since water flows via the sides of the
rear portion end plates upon traveling on water, water entering to
the rear side of the vehicle is able to be prevented, generation of
swirls of water flow at both side end portions of the rear portion
plate shaped member is able to be prevented, and wave making
resistance upon traveling on water is able to be reduced.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the rear portion end
plates include first rear portion end plates provided to stand
downward from a lower surface of the rear portion plate shaped
member, and second rear portion end plates provided to stand upward
from an upper surface of the rear portion plate shaped member.
According to this configuration, in the amphibious vehicle, since,
due to the first rear portion end plates, water flows via the space
between the rear portion end plates and the rear portion plate
shaped member upon traveling on water, generation of swirls of
water flow at both side end portions of the rear portion plate
shaped member is able to be prevented, and wave making resistance
upon traveling on water is able to be reduced. Further, since water
pressure acting on the lower surface side of the rear portion plate
shaped member is able to be increased by the first rear portion end
plates, lifting force from the rear side of the vehicle is able to
be improved, and posture of the vehicle upon traveling on water is
able to be stabilized.
The amphibious vehicle of this disclosure further comprises: a
front portion plate shaped member having a rear end portion that is
fixed to a lower end portion of the vehicle main body; and front
portion end plates respectively provided at both side end portions
of the front portion plate shaped member. According to this
configuration, in the amphibious vehicle, since water is able to be
prevented from going to the front side of the vehicle main body,
water flow at the rear side of the front portion plate shaped
member upon traveling on water is able to be regulated, and wave
making resistance is able to be reduced. Further, reduction of
lifting force by the front portion plate shaped member is able to
be prevented also.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion end
plates are provided to stand upward from an upper surface of the
front portion plate shaped member. According to this configuration,
in the amphibious vehicle, since water is able to be prevented from
going to the front side of the vehicle main body, water flow at the
rear side of the front portion plate shaped member upon traveling
on water is able to be regulated, and wave making resistance is
able to be reduced. Further, reduction of lifting force by the
front portion plate shaped member is able to be prevented.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion
plate shaped member includes: a lower portion plate shaped member
having a rear end portion that is fixed to a lower end portion of a
front surface of the vehicle main body; and an upper portion plate
shaped member at a front end portion of the lower portion plate
shaped member, the upper portion plate shaped member being coupled
turnably relative to the lower portion plate shaped member.
According to this configuration, the angle between the lower
portion plate shaped member and the upper portion plate shaped
member of the front portion plate shaped member is able to be fixed
arbitrarily.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion end
plates include first front portion end plates that are provided at
both side end portions of the upper portion plate shaped member,
and second front portion end plates provided at both side end
portions of the lower portion plate shaped member. According to
this configuration, in the amphibious vehicle, since water is able
to be prevented from going to the front side of the vehicle main
body, water flow at the rear side of the front portion plate shaped
member upon traveling on water is able to be regulated, and wave
making resistance is able to be reduced. Further, reduction of
lifting force by the upper portion plate shaped member and the
lower portion plate shaped member of the front portion plate shaped
member is able to be prevented.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion
plate shaped member has a curved portion at the rear end portion of
the front portion plate shaped member. According to this
configuration, since the portion connecting between the front
portion plate shaped member and the lower portion of the vehicle
main body is able to be made smooth, water flow flowing at the
lower surface side of the front portion plate shaped member is able
to be regulated, and wave making resistance upon traveling on water
is able to be reduced.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion
plate shaped member is fixed to the vehicle main body turnably
around a pivot that is a portion connecting the front portion plate
shaped member to the vehicle main body. According to this
configuration, in the amphibious vehicle, since the angle of the
front portion plate shaped member becomes arbitrarily variable
according to conditions upon traveling on water, wave making
resistance upon traveling on water is able to be reduced.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the rear portion
plate shaped member is fixed to the vehicle main body turnably
around a pivot that is a portion connecting the rear portion plate
shaped member to the vehicle main body. According to this
configuration, in the amphibious vehicle, since the angle of the
rear portion plate shaped member becomes arbitrarily variable
according to conditions upon traveling on water, wave making
resistance upon traveling on water is able to be reduced.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the front portion
plate shaped member is fixable to a front surface of the vehicle
main body. According to this configuration, in the amphibious
vehicle, the front portion plate shaped member is able to be fixed
compactly upon traveling on land.
In the amphibious vehicle of this disclosure, the rear portion
plate shaped member is fixable to a rear surface of the vehicle
main body. According to this configuration, in the amphibious
vehicle, the rear portion plate shaped member is able to be fixed
compactly upon traveling on land.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
According to the present invention, an amphibious vehicle, which
enables wave making resistance upon traveling on water to be
reduced, and propulsive performance of the vehicle main body to be
improved, is able to be realized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an amphibious vehicle
according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a rear portion flap and end
plates, of the amphibious vehicle according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a relation between water pressure
and lifting force acting on the rear portion flap.
FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a relation between water pressure
and lifting force acting on the rear portion flap provided with the
end plates of the amphibious vehicle according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the rear portion flap and the end
plates, according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle upon traveling on
water, according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an amphibious vehicle
according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle according to the
second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle according to the
second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a rear portion flap and end
plates of the amphibious vehicle according to the second
embodiment.
FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the rear
portion flap.
FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the rear
portion flap provided with the end plates of the amphibious vehicle
according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the amphibious vehicle upon traveling on
water, according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle according to a
third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a rear portion flap and end
plates, of the amphibious vehicle according to the third
embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle according to a
fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a front portion flap of the
amphibious vehicle according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a side view of the front portion flap of the amphibious
vehicle according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the front
portion flap.
FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the front
portion flap provided with first front portion end plates and
second front portion end plates of the amphibious vehicle according
to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the front portion flap and end
plates, according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle according to a
fifth embodiment.
FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating water flow when the amphibious
vehicle according to the first embodiment travels on water.
FIG. 22B is a diagram illustrating water flow when the amphibious
vehicle according to the fifth embodiment travels on water.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described
in detail, with reference to the appended drawings. The present
invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and may be
implemented by modification of the embodiments, as appropriate.
Further, the following embodiments may be implemented by being
combined with one another, as appropriate. Furthermore, any
component common to the respective embodiments will be appended
with the same reference sign, and redundant description thereof
will be avoided.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an amphibious vehicle 1
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2
and FIG. 3 are side views of the amphibious vehicle 1 according to
the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the amphibious vehicle 1 according to this
embodiment includes: a vehicle main body 11, which is generally
rectangular shaped; and a traveling apparatus 20, which is provided
at a lower portion of this vehicle main body 11. In the vehicle
main body 11, a propulsor (not illustrated) including a propeller
or a water jet, which is used in a water traveling mode thereof, is
provided. The traveling apparatus 20 includes: a sprocket 21, which
is rotationally driven by a driving device (not illustrated) such
as an engine; and a crawler track 22, which is rotationally driven
by this sprocket. In this amphibious vehicle 1, a vehicle window 13
is provided at an upper portion of a front surface 11a in a
traveling direction Fr of the vehicle main body 11, and a driver is
able to sight outside from this vehicle window 13. With reference
to FIG. 1, the example, in which the vehicle main body 11 is driven
by the traveling apparatus 20 having the crawler track 22, has bee
described, but a traveling apparatus having tires instead of the
crawler track 22 may be used.
One end portion of a front portion flap (front portion plate shaped
member) 14A is fixed to a lower end portion of the front surface
11a of the vehicle main body 11. This front portion flap 14A is
attached to the lower end portion of the front surface 11a of the
vehicle main body 11 via a hinge 15A, such that a principal surface
14a thereof (see FIG. 7) is inclined with respect to the front
surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11. The front portion flap 14A
has a width corresponding to a vehicle width of the vehicle main
body 11. The front portion flap 14A includes: a lower portion flap
(lower portion plate shaped member) 141A having one end portion
thereof fixed to the lower end portion of the front surface 11a of
the vehicle main body 11; and an upper portion flap (upper portion
plate shaped member) 142A having one end portion thereof fixed to
the other end portion of the lower portion flap 141A via a hinge
17A. The front portion flap 14A is attached, such that the
principal surface 14a thereof forms a predetermined angle .theta.1
(see FIG. 7) with the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11
via a support member 16A. The support member 16A has one end fixed
to a lower end portion of the vehicle main body 11 and is
expandable and contractible.
The lower portion flap 141A has a principal surface with a width
corresponding to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11.
The lower portion flap 141A is fixed to the lower end portion of
the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 to be turnable
relatively to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 via
the hinge 15A and the support member 16A. The upper portion flap
142A has a principal surface with a width corresponding to an
inclined surface 11d of the vehicle main body 11. The upper portion
flap 142A is fixed turnably relative to the lower portion flap 141A
via the hinge 17A. The lower portion flap 141A is configured to be
fixable to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 by a
fixing member (not illustrated). The upper portion flap 142A is
configured to be fixable to the inclined surface 11d of the front
surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 by a fixing member (not
illustrated). The support member 16A is provided to be expandable
and contractible in a front-rear direction of an advancing
direction of the vehicle main body 11.
The principal surface of the lower portion flap 141A may be fixed
turnably to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 by
the hinge 15A driven by a driving unit (not illustrated). The
principal surface of the lower portion flap 141A may be fixed
turnably to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 by
the support member 16A driven by a driving unit (not illustrated).
Further, the principal surface of the upper portion flap 142A may
be fixed turnably to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body
11 by the hinge 17A driven by a driving unit (not illustrated).
Further, one end portion of a rear portion flap (rear portion plate
shaped member) 14B is fixed to a lower end portion of a rear
surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11. This rear portion flap 14B
is attached to the lower end portion of the rear surface 11b of the
vehicle main body 11 via a hinge 15B, such that a principal surface
14b thereof is inclined with respect to the rear surface 11b of the
vehicle main body 11. The rear portion flap 14B has a width
corresponding to the vehicle width of the vehicle main body 11. The
rear portion flap 14B is attached, such that the principal surface
14b thereof forms a predetermined angle .theta.2 (see FIG. 7) with
the rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11 via a support
member 16B. The support member 16B has one end thereof fixed to a
lower end portion of the vehicle main body 11 and is expandable and
contractible. The lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion
flap 142A may be modified as appropriate to any plate shaped
members other than flat plates, such as corrugated plates, so long
as effects of the present invention are achieved, similarly to the
rear portion flap 14B.
Further, in the amphibious vehicle 1, the rear portion flap 14B at
a rear surface 11b side of the vehicle main body 11 is fixed
turnably relative to the rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body
11 via the hinge 15B. The rear portion flap 14B is configured to be
fixable to the rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11 by a
fixing member (not illustrated). The principal surface of the rear
portion flap 14B may be fixed turnably to the rear surface 11b of
the vehicle main body 11 by the hinge 15B driven by a driving unit
(not illustrated). The principal surface of the rear portion flap
14B may be fixed turnably to the rear surface 11b of the vehicle
main body 11 by the support member 16B driven by a driving unit
(not illustrated).
In this amphibious vehicle 1, upon traveling on land, for example,
the lower portion flap 141A of the front portion flap 14A is able
to be fixed to the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11,
and the upper portion flap 142A is able to be fixed to the inclined
surface 11d. Further, in this amphibious vehicle 1, the rear
portion flap 14B is able to be fixed to the rear surface 11b of the
vehicle main body 11. The support member 16A is accommodatable in
an accommodation space (not illustrated) provided at the front
surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11, and the support member 16B
is accommodatable in an accommodation space (not illustrated)
provided at the rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11. As
described above, since the front portion flap 14A provided at a
front side of the vehicle main body 11 is configured to be foldable
through the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap
142A, which are mutually foldable, the front portion flap 14A is
able to be fixed compactly to the front surface 11a of the vehicle
main body 11 when the amphibious vehicle 1 lands from water to
land. Similarly, the rear portion flap 14B provided at a rear side
of the vehicle main body 11 is able to be fixed compactly to the
rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11, too.
At both side end portions of the rear portion flap 14B, end plates
(first rear portion end plates) 23 are respectively provided. FIG.
4 is a schematic diagram of the rear portion flap 14B and the end
plates 23. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the end plates 23 are provided
to stand downward from a lower surface 14Ba at both side ends of
the rear portion flap 14B. In this embodiment, the example, in
which the end plates are attached to both side ends of the rear
portion flap 14B, has been described, but the end plates 23 are not
necessarily attached to both side ends of the rear portion flap
14B, and may just be provided at both side end portions of the rear
portion flap 14B. Further, although FIG. 4 illustrates the example,
in which the end plates 23 are provided to stand vertically to the
lower surface 14Ba of the rear portion flap 14B, the end plates 23
may be provided to stand at a certain angle with respect to the
lower surface 14Ba of the rear portion flap 14B.
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a relation between water pressure
and lifting force acting on the rear portion flap 14B, and FIG. 5B
is a diagram illustrating a relation between water pressure and
lifting force acting on the rear portion flap 14B provided with the
end plates 23. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the amphibious
vehicle 1 travels on water, lifting force is generated at an upper
surface 14Bb side of the rear portion flap 14B due to water
pressure P1 from water flowing at a lower surface 14Ba side of the
rear portion flap 14B. Since buoyant force is given to the vehicle
main body 11 by this lifting force, stable traveling on water is
enabled by providing the rear portion flap 14B. The water pressure
P1 acting on the rear portion flap 14B is the largest at a central
portion of the rear portion flap 14B, and decreases toward both end
portions of the rear portion flap 14B.
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the end plates 23 are provided at
the rear portion flap 14B, water flowing at the lower surface 14Ba
side of the rear portion flap 14B passes through a space S1, the
space S1 is a space surrounded by the lower surface 14Ba of the
rear portion flap 14B and the end plates 23. Thereby, water
pressure P2 is evenly added to the lower surface 14Ba side of the
rear portion flap 14B, and thus the lifting force generated at the
upper surface 14Bb side of the rear portion flap 14B is increased.
Thereby, since buoyant force is further given to the vehicle main
body 11, by providing the end plates 23 on the rear portion flap
14B, even more stable traveling on water is enabled. Further, since
water flowing at the lower surface 14Ba side of the rear portion
flap 14B is regulated by the end plates 23, swirls generated from
both side end portions of the rear portion flap 14B are able to be
reduced, and wave making resistance acting on the vehicle main body
11 is able to be reduced further.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the rear portion flap 14B and the
end plates 23, according to this embodiment. The shape of the end
plate 23 is not particularly limited, as long as it has a shape
that enables water to flow into the space S1 surrounded by the rear
portion flap 14B and the end plates 23, and the water pressure P2
acting on the rear portion flap 14B to increase. The shape of the
end plate 23 may be, for example, in a side view thereof, an
approximately rectangular shape (end plate 23A), a triangular shape
(end plate 23B) having a hypotenuse forming a predetermined angle
with respect to a direction of water flow F, an approximately
parallelogrammatic shape (end plate 23C), or an approximately
trapezoidal shape (end plate 23D). Of these, in terms of increasing
the water pressure P2 acting on the rear portion flap 14B and
reducing swirls and the like generated at both end portions of the
rear portion flap 14B, the end plate 23B having the approximately
triangular shape in a side view thereof is preferable.
Next, the overall operation of the amphibious vehicle 1 according
to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a side view of the
amphibious vehicle 1 upon traveling on water. As illustrated in
FIG. 7, in the amphibious vehicle 1 according to this embodiment,
the front portion flap 14A is attached to the lower end portion of
the front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11, such that the
principal surface 14a of the front portion flap 14A is at the acute
angle .theta.1 with respect to the front surface 11a of the vehicle
main body 11. Thereby, when the amphibious vehicle 1 travels on
water, waves on water pass through rearward via a lower surface 11c
of the vehicle main body 11 from a lower surface of the front
portion flap 14A. Accordingly, lifting force acts upward from a
lower portion at a front surface 11a side of the vehicle main body
11, and wave making resistance from the front surface 11a of the
vehicle main body 11 is able to be reduced. As a result, even if
the amphibious vehicle 1 is caused to travel at high speed (for
example, at 14 km/h or more) on water, since the vehicle main body
11 is configured to glide, posture of the vehicle main body 11 is
stabilized and submergence of a front portion of the vehicle main
body 11 is able to be prevented. In terms of improving the above
described functions and effects even more, the front portion flap
14A is preferably provided at a lower end of the front surface 11a
of the vehicle main body 11.
Further, in the amphibious vehicle 1 according to this embodiment,
the rear portion flap 14B is attached to the lower end portion of
the rear surface 11b of the vehicle main body 11, such that the
principal surface 14b of the rear portion flap 14B is at the obtuse
angle .theta.2 with respect to the rear surface 11b of the vehicle
main body 11. Thereby, when the amphibious vehicle 1 travels on
water, waves on water go through to the rear of the vehicle main
body 11 via a lower surface of the rear portion flap 14B from the
lower surface 11c of the vehicle main body 11. When this happens,
since the end plates 23 are provided at a lower surface side of the
rear portion flap 14B in this embodiment, water flows in the space
S1 surrounded by the lower surface of the rear portion flap 14B and
the end plates 23. Thereby, large lifting force acts upward from a
lower portion at the rear surface 11b side of the vehicle main body
11, and generation of swirls and the like at both side end portions
of the rear portion flap 14B is able to be prevented. As a result,
even if the amphibious vehicle 1 is caused to travel at high speed
(for example, at 14 km/h or more) on water, since the vehicle main
body 11 is configured to glide, wave making resistance from the
front surface 11a side of the vehicle main body 11 is able to be
reduced, posture of the vehicle main body 11 is able to be
stabilized, and submergence of a rear portion of the vehicle main
body 11 is able to be prevented. In terms of improving the above
described functions and effects even more, the rear portion flap
14B is preferably provided at a lower end of the rear surface 11b
of the vehicle main body 11.
As described above, since the amphibious vehicle 1 according to the
above described embodiment enables to prevent water from entering
the space between the end plates 23 and the rear portion of the
vehicle main body 11 by the end plates 23 provided at the rear
portion flap 14B, generation of swirls at the rear side of the
vehicle main body 11 when the vehicle main body 11 travels on water
is able to be prevented. Thereby, since the amphibious vehicle 1
enables wave making resistance upon traveling on water to be
reduced, resistance acting on the vehicle main body 11 is able to
be reduced, and propulsive performance is able to be improved.
In the above described embodiment, the example, in which plate
shaped members having flat plate shapes are used as the front
portion flap 14A and the rear portion flap 14B, has been described.
However, the shapes of the front portion flap 14A and the rear
portion flap 14B may be modified, as appropriate, to any plate
shaped members other than flat plates, such as corrugated plates,
so long as the effects of the present invention are achieved.
Similarly, the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap
142A may be modified, as appropriate, to any plate shaped members
other than flat plates, such as corrugated plates, so long as the
effects of the present invention are achieved. Further, widths of
the front portion flap 14A and the rear portion flap 14B may be
modified, as appropriate, so long as the effects of the present
invention are achieved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the
example, in which the front portion flap 14A and the rear portion
flap 14B are attached to the vehicle main body 11 by the hinges 15A
and 15B, has been described. However, the front portion flap 14A
and the rear portion flap 14B are not necessarily fixed by use of
the hinges 15A and 15B, as long as the principal surfaces 14a and
14b are able to be fixed at the predetermined angles .theta.1 and
.theta.2 from the front surface 11a or the rear surface 11b of the
vehicle main body 11. Moreover, in this embodiment, the example, in
which the front portion flap 14A and the rear portion flap 14B are
fixed to the vehicle main body 11 by the support members 16A and
16B, has been described. However, the front portion flap 14A and
the rear portion flap 14B are not necessarily fixed to the vehicle
main body 11 via the support members 16A and 16B. In addition, in
the above described embodiment, although the example, in which the
front portion flap 14A is formed of two plate shaped members that
are the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap 142A,
has been described, the front portion flap 14A may be formed of a
single plate shaped member.
Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Hereinafter, redundant description will be avoided by
description with a focus on differences from the above described
first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an amphibious vehicle 2
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9
and FIG. 10 are side views of the amphibious vehicle 2 according to
the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the amphibious vehicle 2 according to this
embodiment includes, instead of the end plates 23 of the amphibious
vehicle 1 according to the above described first embodiment, end
plates (second rear portion end plates) 24 provided at both side
end portions of the rear portion flap 14B. The remaining
configuration is the same as that of the amphibious vehicle 1
according to the above described first embodiment, and thus
description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the rear portion flap 14B and the
end plates 24. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the end plates 24 are
provided to stand upward from an upper surface 14Bb at both side
ends of the rear portion flap 14B. A distance L1 between the end
plates 24 is preferably made slightly larger than the vehicle width
of the vehicle main body 11. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 10,
when the rear portion flap 14B is accommodated, the end plates 24
are able to be placed on both sides of the vehicle main body 11,
and thus compact accommodation is enabled. In this embodiment, the
example, in which the end plates 24 are attached to both side ends
of the rear portion flap 14B, has been described. However, the end
plates 24 are not necessarily attached to both side ends of the
rear portion flap 14B, and may just be provided at both side end
portions of the rear portion flap 14B. Further, FIG. 11 illustrates
the example, in which the end plates 24 are provided to stand
vertically to the upper surface 14Bb of the rear portion flap 14B,
but the end plates 24 may be provided to stand at a certain angle
with respect to the upper surface 14Bb of the rear portion flap
14B.
FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the rear
portion flap 14B, and FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating water flow
relative to the rear portion flap 14B provided with the end plates
24. As illustrated in FIG. 12A, when the amphibious vehicle 2
travels on water, a part of water flow F flowing toward the rear
portion flap 14B from both sides of the vehicle main body 11 flows
to the rear side of the vehicle main body 11 from both sides of the
rear portion flap 14B, and thus swirls and the like are generated
and wave making resistance is increased.
As illustrated in FIG. 12B, when the ends plates are provided at
the rear portion flap 14B, water flow F flowing toward the rear
portion flap 14B from both sides of the vehicle main body 11 is
regulated by the end plates 24, and will not flow to the rear side
of the vehicle main body 11 from both sides of the rear portion
flap 14B. Thereby, generation of swirls and the like at both side
end portions of the rear portion flap 14B is able to be reduced,
and thus wave making resistance is able to be reduced.
The shape of the end plate 24 is not particularly limited, as long
as it is a shape that enables water flow of water flowing near the
rear portion flap 14B to be regulated. As the shape of the end
plate 24, for example, the same shape as that of the end plate 23
illustrated in FIG. 6 may be used. Of these, in terms of
efficiently regulating water flowing along the rear portion flap
14B, the same shape as that of the end plate 23B having the
approximately triangular shape in a side view thereof is
preferable.
Next, the overall operation of the amphibious vehicle according to
this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a side view of the
amphibious vehicle 2 upon traveling on water. As illustrated in
FIG. 13, in the amphibious vehicle 2 according to this embodiment,
since the end plates 24 are provided at an upper surface side of
the rear portion flap 14B, upon traveling on water, water flowing
at both sides of the vehicle main body 11 flows at both sides of
the end plates 24 of the rear portion flap 14B and at the lower
surface side of the rear portion flap 14B. Thereby, lifting force
acts upward from a lower portion at the rear surface 11b side of
the vehicle main body 11, and generation of swirls and the like at
both side end portions of the rear portion flap 14B is able to be
prevented. As a result, even if the amphibious vehicle 2 is caused
to travel at high speed (for example, at 14 km/h or more) on water,
wave making resistance from the front surface 11a side of the
vehicle main body 11 is able to be reduced, posture of the vehicle
main body 11 is able to be stabilized, and submergence of the rear
portion of the vehicle main body 11 is able to be prevented.
Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Hereinafter, redundant description will be avoided by
description with a focus on differences from the above described
first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle 3 according to a
third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG.
14, this amphibious vehicle 3 includes, in addition to the
configuration of the amphibious vehicle 1 according to the above
described first embodiment, the end plates 24 of the rear portion
flap 14B according to the above described second embodiment. The
remaining configuration is the same as that of the amphibious
vehicle 1 according to the above described first embodiment, and
thus description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the rear portion flap 14B and the
end plates 23 and 24. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the end plates
(first rear portion end plates) 23 are provided to stand downward
from the lower surface 14Ba at both side ends of the rear portion
flap 14B. The end plates (second rear portion end plates) 24 are
provided to stand upward from the upper surface 14Bb at both side
ends of the rear portion flap 14B. Since the configurations of the
end plates 23 and 24 are the same as those of the above described
first embodiment and second embodiment, description thereof will be
omitted.
The amphibious vehicle 3 according to this embodiment enables
lifting force and flow regulating effects to be obtained by the end
plates 23 and 24 provided at the rear portion flap 14B. As a
result, even if the amphibious vehicle 3 is caused to travel at
high speed (for example, at 14 km/h or more) on water, wave making
resistance from the front surface 11a side of the vehicle main body
11 is able to be reduced, posture of the vehicle main body 11 is
able to be stabilized, and submergence of the rear portion of the
vehicle main body 11 is able to be prevented.
Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Hereinafter, redundant description will be avoided by
description with a focus on differences from the above described
first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle 4 according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention. The amphibious vehicle
4 according to this embodiment includes, in addition to the
configuration of the amphibious vehicle 1 according to the above
described first embodiment: end plates (first front portion end
plates) 25A provided at the lower portion flap 141A of the front
portion flap 14A; and end plates (second front portion end plates)
25B provided at the upper portion flap 142A. The remaining
configuration is the same as that of the amphibious vehicle 1
according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof
will be omitted.
FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of the front portion flap 14A, and
FIG. 18 is a side view of the front portion flap 14A. As
illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the end plates 25A are provided
at both side end portions of the lower portion flap 141A. The end
plates 25B are provided at both side end portions of the upper
portion flap 142A. The end plates 25A are provided to stand upward
from an upper surface 141Aa of the lower portion flap 141A. The end
plates 25B are provided to stand upward from an upper surface 142Aa
of the lower portion flap 142A. Further, in this embodiment, a
distance L2 between the end plates 25A of the lower portion flap
141A is less than a distance L3 between the end plates 25B of the
upper portion flap 142A, by a distance that is slightly larger than
thicknesses of the end plates 25A. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG.
18, the end plates 25B of the upper portion flap 142A are able to
overlap outer sides of the end plates 25A of the lower portion flap
141A, and thus an angle between the lower portion flap 141A and the
upper portion flap 142A is able to be changed. In this embodiment,
the example, in which the end plates 25A and the end plates 25B are
attached to both side ends of the lower portion flap 141A and the
upper portion flap 142A, has been described. However, the end
plates 25A and the end plates 25B are not necessarily attached to
both side ends of the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion
flap 142A, and may just be provided at both side end portions of
the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap 142A.
Further, FIG. 18 illustrates the example, in which the end plates
25A and the end plates 25B are provided to stand vertically to
lower surfaces of the lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion
flap 142A, but the end plates 25A and the end plates 25B may be
provided to stand at certain angles from the lower surfaces of the
lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap 142A.
FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating water flow relative to the front
portion flap 14A, and FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating water flow
relative to the front portion flap 14A provided with the end plates
25A and the end plates 25B. As illustrated in FIG. 19A, when the
amphibious vehicle 4 travels on water, water from the front side of
the vehicle main body 11 flows toward the front surface 11a of the
vehicle main body 11 via both sides of the front portion flap 14A.
As a result, water flow F is generated toward the front surface 11a
of the vehicle main body 11 from both sides of the front portion
flap 14A, and wave making resistance due to the traveling of an
amphibious vehicle 5 is increased.
As illustrated in FIG. 19B, when the end plates 25A and the end
plates 25B are provided at the front portion flap 14A, water from
the front side of the vehicle main body 11 flows along both sides
of the front portion flap 14A and flows to both sides of the
vehicle main body 11. As a result, the water flow F from the front
side of the vehicle main body 11 is regulated by the end plates 25A
and 25B, and will not flow to the front surface 11a of the vehicle
main body 11. Thereby, generation of swirls and the like at both
side end portions of the front portion flap 14A is able to be
reduced, and thus wave making resistance is able to be reduced.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the front portion flap 14A, and
the end plates 24A and 25B, according to this embodiment. The
arrangement and shapes of the end plates 25A and 25B are not
particularly limited, as long as generation of water flow to the
front surface 11a of the vehicle main body 11 from both sides of
the front portion flap 14A is able to be prevented. As illustrated
in FIG. 20, as to the arrangement of the end plates 25A and 25B,
the end plates 25A may be provided at the lower portion flap 141A,
and the end plates 25B may be not provided at the upper portion
flap 142A. Further, as to the shapes of the end plates 25A and 25B,
a size of the end plate 25B may be smaller than that of the end
plate 25A. In this case, the end plate 25B may be shaped such that
the end plate 25B is provided over a range, for example, from a
connected portion between the lower portion flap 141A and the upper
portion flap 142A, to about a half of the upper portion flap 142A.
Furthermore, the end plate 25B may be shaped such that a height
thereof from the upper surface 142Aa of the upper portion flap 142A
is varied within the end plate 25B. In this case, the end plate 25B
may be shaped, such that a height h2 thereof is about half a height
h1 thereof of a portion closer to the connected portion between the
lower portion flap 141A and the upper portion flap 142A, the height
h2 being a height of a portion at an opposite side of the connected
portion.
Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Hereinafter, redundant description will be avoided by
description with a focus on differences from the above described
first embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle 5 according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention. The amphibious vehicle 5
according to this embodiment includes, instead of the lower portion
flap 141A of the front portion flap 14A of the amphibious vehicle 1
according to the above described first embodiment, a lower portion
flap 143 having a rear end portion that is curved, the rear end
portion being a portion connected to the vehicle main body 11. This
lower portion flap 143 has a curved portion 143a having a radius of
curvature of, for example, about 2/5R to 4/5R with respect to a
distance L4 to a connected portion between the lower portion flap
143 and the upper portion flap 141A. By such use of the lower
portion flap 143 having the curved portion 143a, the portion
connecting the lower portion flap 143 and the vehicle main body 11
together is able to be made smooth. The remaining configuration is
the same as that of the amphibious vehicle 1 according to the above
described first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be
omitted.
FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating water flow when the amphibious
vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment travels on water, and
FIG. 22B is a diagram illustrating water flow when the amphibious
vehicle 5 according to the fifth embodiment travels on water. As
illustrated in FIG. 22A, when the amphibious vehicle 1 travels on
water, water from the front side of the vehicle main body 11 flows
to a lower side of the vehicle main body 11 via a lower surface
side of the front portion flap 14A. Since respective parts of the
portion connecting between the lower portion flap 141A and the
vehicle main body 11 are sharp, water flowing from a lower side of
the lower portion flap 141A to a lower surface side of the vehicle
main body 11 contains air G. Further, water flow F flowing at the
lower surface side of the vehicle main body 11 becomes disordered
water flow or separated water flow, and flow acting on the rear
portion flap 14B and the vehicle main body 11 is influenced
thereby.
As illustrated in FIG. 22B, when the amphibious vehicle 5 including
the lower portion flap 143 travels on water, water from the front
side of the vehicle main body 11 flows to the lower side of the
vehicle main body 11 via a lower surface of the lower portion flap
143. Since the portion connecting between the lower portion flap
143 and the vehicle main body 11 is smooth due to the curved
portion 143a, water flowing to the lower surface side of the
vehicle main body 11 from a lower side of the lower portion flap
143 will not contain air G. Further, the water flow F flowing at
the lower surface side of the vehicle main body 11 is regulated and
disordered flow will not be generated. Thereby, since water flow
acting on the vehicle main body 11 and the rear portion flap 14B is
able to be regulated, wave making resistance against the vehicle
main body 11 is able to be reduced even more.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE 11 VEHICLE MAIN BODY 11a FRONT
SURFACE 11b REAR SURFACE 11c LOWER SURFACE 11d INCLINED SURFACE 13
VEHICLE WINDOW 14A FRONT PORTION FLAP (FRONT PORTION PLATE SHAPED
MEMBER) 141A, 143 LOWER PORTION FLAP (LOWER PORTION PLATE SHAPED
MEMBER) 142A UPPER PORTION FLAP (UPPER PORTION PLATE SHAPED MEMBER)
143a CURVED PORTION 14B REAR PORTION FLAP (REAR PORTION PLATE
SHAPED MEMBER) 15A, 15B HINGE 16A, 16B SUPPORT MEMBER 17A HINGE 20
TRAVELING APPARATUS 21 SPROCKET 22 CRAWLER TRACK 23 END PLATE
(FIRST REAR PORTION END PLATE) 24 END PLATE (SECOND REAR PORTION
END PLATE) 25A END PLATE (FIRST FRONT PORTION END PLATE) 25B END
PLATE (SECOND FRONT PORTION END PLATE)
* * * * *